BENDIX ANNOUNCES SLATE OF TECHNICAL TRAINING COURSES FOR 2023
Expert Instructors Will Lead In-Person Classes in 11 States; Four Virtual Sessions Also Scheduled
AVON, Ohio – (Trailer Technician) – The importance of equipping fleet technicians, owner-operators, and others to keep North America’s trucks on the road and in safe operating condition has driven Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC (Bendix) training programs for almost 60 years – and that commitment continues in 2023. Bendix will host nearly two dozen multiday classes across the U.S. from February to December.
“Commercial vehicles don’t take care of themselves, and advancing truck technologies create a need for ongoing technician training,” said Fred Andersky, Bendix director – demos, service & sales training. “Keeping trucks on the road, rolling safely and efficiently, means knowing how to troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair key vehicle braking components. From the basic air brake system, air disc brakes, and ABS (antilock braking systems) to stability control, collision mitigation, and other advanced safety technologies, Bendix continues to make technical education about braking and safety systems easily available to commercial vehicle technicians across the industry.”
Andersky continued, “One of the unique aspects of our in-person training schools is the air boards used for instruction. The Bendix air system boards, in particular, feature a working Bendix® Wingman® Fusion™ system to help students receive a robust overview of the company’s collision mitigation technology, along with other critical parts of the Bendix air braking system.”
When and Where to Find a Training Session
In-person opportunities on the 2023 calendar cover 11 states. They include 15 sessions of Bendix’s three-day Air Brake Training class – long recognized as setting the industry training standard – beginning February 21-23 at company headquarters in Avon, Ohio. There will also be four in-person offerings of Bendix’s two-day Advanced Technology Training program: Two in Avon and two in Sparks, Nevada.
Bendix has expanded its virtual training schedule to offer four sessions, with two scheduled on Eastern Time and two on Mountain Time for the convenience of attendees in western North America.
Registration is open for the complete schedule of both courses, shown on the last page of this news release. A member of the Master-level ASE-certified Bendix Tech Training Team conducts every class.
All in-person training adheres to the latest safety, health, and sanitization protection protocols, as applicable, along with other general safety guidelines.
What’s on the Agenda
Tailored to both new and experienced technicians, Bendix’s three-day Air Brake Training class covers the description, operation, and service elements for the total range of components found within dual air brake systems. Instruction will address the fundamentals of compressed air; tactics for air system failure mode diagnosis and troubleshooting; and components such as air compressors, valves, foundation drum brakes, air disc brakes, and steering.
Bendix recommends that each participant complete the online air brake training at the company’s brake-school.com site before taking the in-person Air Brake Training class.
The two-day Bendix Advanced Technology Training class covers the operation and troubleshooting of higher-level driver assistance and safety systems, as well as diagnostic software.
Classes will cover: Antilock Braking Systems (ABS), AutoVue® Lane Departure Warning (LDW) System from Bendix CVS, Bendix® ESP® Electronic Stability Program, Bendix® Wingman® Advanced™ – A Collision Mitigation Technology, the family of Bendix® Wingman® Fusion™ driver assistance systems, SafetyDirect® system by Bendix CVS, SmarTire® and SmarTire® Trailer-Link™ TPMS by Bendix CVS, and Active Steering by Bendix.
The Advanced Technology Training program includes hands-on, in-depth maintenance instruction for Bendix® air disc brakes and electrical diagnostics.
“Adoption of both air disc brakes and advanced driver assistance technologies continues to increase, and technicians are going to see more of these systems and components in the future as vehicle safety advances,” said Brian Screeton, Bendix supervisor – technical service training. “Courses like this one are not just valuable today – they provide important foundational knowledge for tomorrow’s trucks as well.”
He continued, “The practical information gained by attending the Bendix courses is just one reason why a major North American OEM now requires its team members working toward obtaining Master Technician certification for their vehicle brake systems to take the Bendix two- and three-day programs as part of the overall curriculum. We look forward to more collaborations like this one in the future.”
All registrants in the three-day Air Brake Training and two-day Bendix Advanced Technology Training school may elect to take part in a written test administered at the close of each class. Bendix will grade the exam, and registrants earning a passing grade will receive a Tested and Passed certificate. Those who take the exam and don’t pass will receive a Certificate of Completion, as will registrants who elect not to participate in the optional testing. In-person Bendix training and the optional test are not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). It does not take the place of any instruction or certification exam administered by the DOT.
Screeton noted that Bendix does not certify technicians for work on its systems.
How to Take Part
Because of the quantity and complexity of the products covered, Bendix strongly advises each student complete either the three-day Air Brake Training course or, at a minimum, the online air brake training at brake-school.com before taking the Advanced Technology Training class.
Per-person enrollment costs are $475 USD for Air Brake Training, $425 USD for Advanced Technology Training, and $375 USD for the virtual class. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis, and class size is limited. Registration may be completed online at www.bendix.com; by phone at 1-800-AIR-BRAKE (1-800-247-2725), option 3; by email at BendixTrainingSchool@hkm.dcgcentral.com; or via fax (216-651-3261). See the full listing of dates and locations below or visit www.bendix.com.
About Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, a member of Knorr-Bremse, develops and supplies leading-edge active safety technologies, energy management solutions, and air brake charging and control systems and components under the Bendix® brand name for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, tractors, trailers, buses, and other commercial vehicles throughout North America. An industry pioneer, employing more than 4,100 people, Bendix – and its wholly owned subsidiary, R.H. Sheppard Co., Inc. – is driven to deliver the best solutions for improved vehicle safety, performance, and overall operating cost. Contact us at 1-800-AIR-BRAKE (1-800-247-2725) or visit bendix.com. Stay connected and informed through Bendix expert podcasts, blog posts, videos, and other resources at knowledge-dock.com. Follow Bendix on Twitter at twitter.com/Bendix_CVS. Log on and learn from the Bendix experts at brake-school.com. And to learn more about career opportunities at Bendix, visit bendix.com/careers.